CEO, Gray Construction

Thomas J. Stringer, Esq.

Tim Feemster

Managing Principal, Foremost Quality Logistics

U.S. Industrial Output Decreases Less Than Expected

Area Development News Desk

12/15/2008

Industrial production in U.S. factories, utilities, and mines fell by 0.6 percent in November, according to figures from the U.S. Federal Reserve. The figure is slightly better than industry analysts' average prediction of 0.8 percent. The drop follows a 1.5 percent increase in output in October. Manufacturing output for November was down 1.4 percent, including a 2.8 percent decline at automotive plants. Other manufacturing sectors that showed declines in production include appliances and furniture (4.0 percent), construction supplies (3.3 percent), machinery production (2.4 percent), technology (1.9 percent), home electronics (1.7 percent), and paper products (0.6 percent); business equipment production increased 3.2 percent. Output at the nation's mines, which includes oil and gas production, increased by 2.5 percent in November. Production at U.S. utilities rose by 1.6 percent.